Houston METRO erects first station canopy on light-rail extension

Houston METRO has passed several milestones on its way to placing 15-plus miles of new track east, north and southeast of the central business district.

The three new light-rail lines will open for service in 2014. September reports show overall project construction as more than 61 percent complete with station and finishing work coming along at a very rapid pace.

The first steel structural columns for the station canopy have just been erected at the East End/Green Line Lockwood/Eastwood Station. Frames will support station glass roofs, artwork, signage and lighting. Along the Southeast/Purple Line there is progress to report on the construction of the Kuhlman Gulley Bridge on MLK Blvd. and sound wall on Wheeler Ave.

Utility relocations are 90 to 99 percent complete on all three lines, road paving is at 79 percent or more across the projects and actual guideway for rail cars is already more than halfway finished. Once complete METRORail will have 22.7 miles of light rail, with15 miles added to the existing light-rail system.